Original content and news about the autism epidemic from the perspective that autism is treatable. Anaylsis of current media treatment of autism and the environmental causes of autism.

Thanks to Jeannette Bishop for this unofficial text of Posey remarks on U.S. House floor: TO BEGIN WITH, I AM ABSOLUTELY, RESOLUTEY PRO-VACCINE. Advancements in medical immunization have saved countless lives and greatly benefitted public health. That being said, it's...

Olmsted's Original UPI Series

Brian Deer: Portrait of a Narcissist

By Jake Crosby

Conflicted “journalist” Brian Deer’s website is perhaps one of the biggest resources of disinformation on the internet. Even worse, there is likely no better example of one man’s online shrine to himself than briandeer.com – a cesspool of self-adulation. Nothing quite sums this up better than a particular webpage that reads “Brian’s pictures” at the bottom of the homepage. You’d think it would be the many different photos of news events from his journalistic exploits, but a click of the mouse shows that it is in fact – literally – all him. See for yourself (WARNING, MAY INDUCE NAUSEA):

(CLICK HERE)8/16UPDATE:The link to the personal photo gallery (see photo below) appears to have been restored. It had been removed on the day this post originally ran.

From birth till present, Brian Deer graces us with his portrait. Starved for attention, Brian Deer knew how to get it – by targeting Dr. Andrew Wakefield.

Jake Crosby is a college student with Asperger Syndrome at Brandeis University who is double majoring in History and Health: Science, Society and Policy.

I was most impressed by the B Deer webpage that came up from a search of "Carol Stott". I rapidly came to the conclusion that one of them was an A-grade d.c.h..d, but that it was not the one being written about!

I'm sure he had a very in depth conversation with himself in which he reassured himself that there is nothing better in life than to look at a picture of oneself as often as possible. Maybe he is not getting sufficient love and affection from his family and friends. Who knows? But since it's hard to attach a mirror to a computer screen, of course the pictures had to go back up. The only logical thing to do . . .

The link is BACK! Brian Deer just added the link back into his website after he previously removed it! Look's like Deer's into some major flip-flopping to try and obscure the fact that he previously took it off because he got the message it wasn't making him look any better after first reading this post!

Pamela, what an excellent treatise on the subtleties of credence. Indeed, every one of the many times I've viewed Dr. Wakefield, or, for that matter, listened to the comments in his behalf made by the parents of the children on the Lancet case series, I sense a man who is simply a compassionate professional. Conversely, from all I've seen of Brian Deer, I sense a crass and weak-willed individual.

Peripherally, a most staggering and purposeful act during the extended implementation of the proceedings against the Royal Free doctors has been the virtual censorship in the mainstream media of the fact of the success, albeit in varying degrees, of the treatment of the kids' bowel inflammation in reducing the symptoms of autism.

You say I attack but your comments can also be considered an attack and ridicule of these professional people. Time will tell but when the film is released, may be you can stand on the sidelines and do the same thing again.

I will leave you with the flowers blooming, birds chirping and harmony all around on this site called Age of Autism.

Consider this an attack if you are so inclined to feel that way, but frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn (famous quote from "Gone with the Wind", which I find very appropriate).

Wow - nice snapshot of the link to the gallery. Here's what I interpret about what is oh so glaringly not there: no mom, no dad, no brothers, no sisters, no friends, no family, no group events, no peers that he's worked with, no context at all. It clearly shows how he regards, or should I say disregards, the people in his life. He appears to be his only friend and colleague. I suspect he's got pictures of himself on his own hallway wall and on his own desk, where the rest of the normal world would have pictures of their loved ones, the people who add fullness and meaning to one's life. No words could have described him any better than what those pictures illustrate.

If she's a tax-paying American, Theresa Cedillo does own the courtroom. But even if she weren't, she would still be allowed to spread her arms out on the back of her seat. We pretty much allow that in this country, even to women.

I guess that Brian Deer has abandoned all pretense of being an objective journalist. I don't know how anyone can pretend to take him seriously.

With regard to Jenny Allen's last comment I would just like to state that MMR protesters outside the GMC have always enjoyed excellent relations with the police, and there has never been the least bit of friction, trouble or disrespect between them. I don't know the exact rules, but if you have a demonstration you are expected to notify the police and this has always been done.

I think you spotted the weakness in the DHHS presentation: Ms R forgot to point out just what it was the petitioners had put forward as their evidence from O’Leary.

In short, a note, which I don’t have in front of me right now, which was pretty much written on the back of a Subway menu stating: “Michelle Cedillo had vaccine strain measles virus in her. Definitely. Signed, Fat Irish Professor”.

My feeling is that the appeal judges were just rooting around for something to sound indignant over. There’s no way that a report has to be supported by all the data, or all the scientific papers would fall away as well. The volume of data would become overwhelming.

In any case, as I heard it, the petitioners submitted that there was no prejudice by Hastings. I’d say that ends it for them, being a submission and all.

PS, I too was in court when the videos were played. Michelle’s mother, Theresa Cedillo, was there, laughing and snorting through the hearing, arms spread along the back of her seat like she owned the courtroom. She was having a great old time, I can tell you.

And, of course, there was not a word of comeback over the videos. Hell, Michelle was autistic before her vaccination. So what? MMR did this to her. Definitely. Signed…

'Dear Jenny Allan,.............
So then, where is the article about all these excellent young men and women working on this film at the United States of Autism?http://usofautism.com/
Are they considered chopped liver?...........Why the silence or may be there is no interest here!!! I guess I'm in the wrong place!!! That's it!!!'

I looked at the links provided by Ray and found some 'Scooby Doo like' cartoon representations of persons and an account of the film crew's visit to a family affected by autism. Yes, I would like to know more and see no reason why Ray should not write an informative article about this project himself if he feels so strongly about it.

AoA do a wonderful job of informing about 'cutting edge' issues involving autistic persons and their carers, but they are volunteers, funded by donations and should not be criticised like this on their own site.

As for Brian Deer. I explained my own reasons for keeping up the 'pressure' on Brian Deer and those other paid pharma and establishment 'puppets'. Jake's article poking fun at Brian Deer was exactly right!! Mr Deer HATES being laughed at and ridiculed!! This seems to have been endorsed by Mr Deer 'pulling' the internet connection. Well done Jake!!

Mr Deer's reported 'assault' by a mother hitting him on the head with a banner at a GMC rally, was ACTUALLY an attempt by autism mother Joan Campbell to protect herself and Dr Wakefield by blocking his way with her banner. The police only intervened when he broke her banner. But he could have hurt her and Dr Wakefield. The police were manifestly NOT there to protect the mothers!!(see below)

There are plenty of persons who join Facebook and other internet sites in order to disrupt and confuse. Ray you are absolutely right. You WERE in the wrong place. Goodbye!!

BenG,
however unpalatable, you have to know your enemies, such is Deer, someone who would be so very proud to help deny justice and cause further harm to a vaccine injured child...

“….. I’m also very proud that ….. the US government sought my help in mounting its case in Cedillo, copiously borrowing pages of evidence from my website and displaying some in court. I was surprised by this…….. on a number of occasions I would come home, find an email from the department of justice asking me for a document, and see that the next day it was being run in court. …….. I recall supplying a key document on the O’Leary lab business, which the DoJ didn’t seem to know about just weeks before the hearing”

benG -
Glad that Teresa and Pamela filled you in on the point of this post. The way it helps "advance the cause of helping children with autism" is that it sheds some light on a very strange man who has stood in the way of helping children with autism, primarily by initiating the prosecution of Dr. Andrew Wakefield. Dr. Wakefield is one of the few doctors working to help people with autism who have severe bowel problems, and working to understand some of the real causes of autism, and listening to parents.

For more on Brian Deer, see this video:http://www.viddler.com/explore/ziggy/videos/1/
I will always remember Brian Deer saying to the mother who was holding a picture of her son with his colostomy bag hanging out of his stomach, "That's not bowel disease! That's diarrhea!" Truly bizarre.

Ray, your anger about the lack of coverage here at AoA is baffling. Why have you not responded to the encouragement for you to write an article? Why trash Jake Crosby? Have you read the bulk of his work? It is fantastic and if he wants to take the time to further elaborate on a "man" who has made it his life's mission to create an ugly picture of us parents then I'm all for it. I would be delighted to hear more about this movie, but to be honest, your attitude makes me a little less interested. Either you are on the spectrum yourself (and I mean that with absolutely no disrespect, as my son tends to behave in a similar fashion when he doesn't get what he wants pronto....and I love him beyond infinity) or it could be a variety of other reasons. Point is, we are here to support one another and if you don't enjoy that kind of camaraderie, then perhaps this, indeed, is not the place for you to hang out.

36 pictures are worth a thousand words and none of them describe anything decent or good. Jake thanks for holding a mirror to some one who has done so much damage to so many. One of these days he is going to get really sick of himself, but he will have earned it.

Ray you brought something to my attention and I will keep an eye open for it. That's a good start. I learned that life's too short to get "easily" bent out of shape.

I think you are new here. If it were me, I would have asked more about Deer and his history rather than take up his defense.

You ask "How in any way does this post advance the cause of helping children with autism?"....well Deer is a liar, in addition to being a narcissist, who has 36 pictures of just himself and then the phrase , "Life's a bitch and then you die"...odd, strange, weird...does that reflect journalistic integrity? No, it reflects a bizarre person who has changed facts, slanted stories, hidden the truth and harmed parents and their ill children looking for help and those doctors who were brave and brilliant in doing what researchers and doctors should do -- investigate illness, relieve pain and restore health. Deer has attempted to stop that process through disgusting and dark doings. Showing his website, his brazen photos and his haughtiness gives insight into how he ticks.

It helps autistic children to expose those who are attempting to stop the truth about autism and its connection to vaccine injuries and those who give and receive dirty money to try and keep Pandora's box locked.

Well, just because Deer posts pictures ONLY of himself does not make his accusations against Dr Wakefield false but it would certainly add to the list of behaviors that would lead one to question what kind of person he is and what motivates him.

I think the point of this post is that one needs to consider all information available when trying to asses whether something or someone is legitimate.

In a case like Deer's accusations against Dr. Wakefield, the "facts", as presented, by each side are contradictory on the surface. In my assessment the "truth" lies in the facts as presented by Dr. Wakefield.

In addition, one may determine which side is most compelling based on how the individuals present themselves; what their background is; whether other controversies have preceded the current issue at hand; the nature of the parties involved; the ethical standards of the person; what drives them; what their value system may be etc.

I also side with Dr. Wakefield because I feel that I have seen MANY positive examples of his good character.This post high lights just one more example that would lead one to question what motivates and drives Brian Deer. Is he motivated by "truth" or by self interest? When one connects all the dots Brain Deer looses legitimacy. In so many ways he seems self serving, manipulative and dishonest. He appears to be someone driven by self interest.

I would challenge anyone to find an example where Dr. Wakefield's general behavior would lead you to question his overall character. There are many regarding Deer. One could question whether or not Dr. Wakefield should have given a monetary award to the children at the party who gave blood but that's just one point. The list of questionable behaviors and motivators on Deer's side is long and applies to his general character and nature. It's not a pretty picture.

"How does this post help children with autism? By helping a parent researching the Wakefield controversy draw their own conclusions about how credible and noble the parties involved are. That is very important when parents are trying to decide who to believe in all of this and whether they want to adopt "hope" for their children. If a parent decides Dr. Wakefield is the person Deer has presented him to be, then that could be one less child who could benefit from the help Dr. Wakefield's work could offer that child.

Deer has misrepresented himself to people he interviews using a false name and lying about the intent of the interview. He has treated parents who have questioned him in a very disrespectful and almost abusive manner, he has misrepresented facts and now we learn he has a web site that serves as a shrine to himself. Again...not a strong case for building credibility.

Hi Jennie i think you will find that when this issue first came about in 98 BD was probably looking at the news , and maybe being unknown at that time , he no doubt saw the Dr Wakefield situation as a way into big time journalism , and feeding his huge ego so jumped on the bandwagon , and so today he is very much known , but does not have the respect of the parents , know i wonder if he can maintain his momentum , it is so sad that as far as i am concerned he will be remembered for par- taking in the downfall of a much respected doctor , who no matter what BD has to say will remain a much respected doctor

Ray, The USOFAUTISM movie has been being talked about for months on facebook. It's out there and folks are excited about it.

I don't mean to sound like a bitch (Kim it's not Sunday :D), but sometimes it comes down to the old cliche "if you want something done, do it yourself". That's not to say that no one would want to do it, but think about how many readers there are here on AoA, and how many families are actually being filmed for the movie.

I agree that it should be written about, and the folks who are making the movie should be written about and applauded and loudly so for their efforts. That said, someone who is not involved is not really an appropriate person to do the job, and I think it's unfair for you to seemingly come on here commenting and attacking AoA readers for not doing so.

Is there no U tube of short little clips of the work they have done--- so far?

I read what each of them have worked on, Hell's Kitchen and such - reality shows that have caught a lot of people's attention - so they are talented, and experienced. Why don't you write an article about them, get a clip of their work.

I have tried to forget what's his name's name - he is not worthy of remembering it. That is what I would like to do, but sometimes people just cross the line with such evil/stupid deeds that their name gets burned into your memory even if you do not wish it. That would be Hitler, Stalin, Po Pot, Deer - can't help it.

Media Scholar; What??? Explain. Are your comments an inside joke, or am I like my Asperger son and well just intellically/socially left out? Are you saying that Jake causing people to go to Deer's website and thus helping Deer in some perverted way? What do you mean - spy?

In our house, we have speculated about what it is that drives Deer's obsession with Dr. Wakefield. Seems like some sort of bizarre Fatal Attraction kind of obsession. I suspect the Pharma money is a secondary motivation only.

I figure Deer has short-man's complex and Orac was a big nerd who did well. That explains their holier than thou attitudes.

How anyone can be "so confident" in their rightness when children are suffering is outlandish to me. If you are right, and you believe your "side" is right but you cared at all about the fight, wouldn't you want to find out WHAT was causing autism? Why do they care so much about alternative methods the "crazy mothers" of autistic kids try if they truly care nothing about the larger issue .. AUTISM? It truly baffles my mind....unless I step back and realize they don't care about the big issue, they just want FAME, fortune, and to make up for their own personal lackings.

Jake describes Brian Deer to a tee. I managed to stop Deer in his tracks with my banner as I wrapped it infront of his face to stop him insulting Dr Wakefield. The police pulled him away from the scent after he broke my banner.

I agree with AnonAutism Dad.
In the UK, Brian Deer has had unlimited press freedom to spread his lies in the Times and other Murdoch owned newspapers, as well as some very dodgy internet blogs. It was significant that Sky News quickly 'pulled' the post GMC verdict rally interviews with myself and the mother of a severely affected lad with autism. Murdoch owns Sky, which is part of a huge media empire. His son is a director of vaccine manufacturers GSK. Conflict of interest?? You Bet!!
It suits the establishment to allow Deer to portray us mothers and grannies of apparently vaccine damaged children as fierce ignorant harridans!! Any media coverage which MIGHT elicit some public sympathy is ruthlessly quashed!! The UK Press Complaints Commission upheld a complaint about Deer's published lies in The Times, but there was no retraction. The PCC does not even have the power to fine the publishers of these scurrilous smears against Andrew Wakefield. In any case what's a fine to the likes of Murdoch?? He can afford to 'cock a snook' at the PCC.

Yes, Brian Deer is a little man in every way. He is far too conceited and full of his own importance to realise that he is actually being cynically used as the 'patsy' by those government, pharmaceutical and other 'interests' who do not want the contents of these childrens' damaged bowels to adhere to them when this scandal 'hits the fan'. The scientific evidence supporting Wakefield et al is coming 'thick and fast' and cannot be suppressed forever.

Yes Ray. We WANT to hear about your heroes too, but its not mutually exclusive. Why not write a piece about them and their work?
Jake, Please keep writing articles like this!!

Dear Jake,
Good work. I disagree that it's unimportant to follows these cockroaches. Shining the light is what makes the roaches scatter. I think you have found a common thread with folks like Brian Deer. Like Gorski (aka Orac) they are in it for narcissistic gain as much as the $$$$ (or lbs in deer's case). Keep up the strong service you provide.
Regards,
AnonAutismDAD

I teased him about his diminuitive stature once... (I saw him in person...he's lucky if he's even 5'3") and he ripped into me with a blog post, mentioning my name 12 times, calling me other names as well... and twice mentioned that he's really 5'9"... so I think I struck a nerve. He's sensitive about his height. Sorry, Brian. It was a weak moment for me, I swear. I normally don't make fun of little people...

You are an excellent writer but writing about Brian Deer and his website is a waste of time when you could write about the wonderful efforts being done by Richard Everts and the rest of his film crew including Rene S. Duran, Cassie Lees, Rosleny Ubinus and Sugey Cruz-Everts at United States of Autism.

What a sick person. How disgusting to be so wrapped up in himself but that shows how he is able to ignore the pain and suffering of so many children and go after Dr. Wakefield instead. Narcissists have many ulterior motives that always come back to them and benefit them. If only Brian could see what we all see when his pictures come on the screen - the evolution of a disturbed individual.

This is what this odious man wrote in The Times on the eve of the GMC verdict against Dr Andrew Wakefield and Professor Walker Smith.:-

'Tomorrow morning, at about 9.30, I’ll stroll down the Euston Road in London and will almost certainly be greeted with screams of abuse.
“Who’s pulling your strings, Brian?” someone will yell above the drone of traffic. “Boooo ... yaaahh ... liar!”
My furious detractors — mainly women — will, as always, be crammed behind metal barriers just outside the offices of the General Medical Council (GMC). Some will be clutching placards — indeed, I was once hit smartly over the head with one. As well as personal abuse, they will chant slogans: “We’re backing Wakefield ... MMR: a jab too far ... 1 in 100 children have autism.'

I'm afraid I was a little late in getting to the GMC premises with my little placard, far too flimsy and precious to waste hitting Mr Deer over the head with!! It took me some time to make and I had travelled from Scotland with it in my rucksack!!

London Underground does not issue one day travelcards until 9-30am, and I hung around Victoria Station until then. But there was no sign of Mr Deer at the GMC and no one else reported seeing him. He did not emerge after the proceedings either. The conclusion I came to was that he came and went via the 'tradesman's entrance'!! I am unaware of Mr Deer having being previously thumped with a cardboard placard, but in both demonstrations I attended, the GMC premises were ringed with policemen tasked with the job of keeping these mothers and grannies in order!! If Mr Deer had been 'assaulted' by anyone, for sure his injured self would have squawked and pressed assault charges!!

Brian Deer may have been right about the chorus of expected boos and the expressed support for Andrew Wakefield, that's if he had dared to show his face in front of us; within the vaccine damage 'lobby', he is well hated!!He was wrong though about the 1 in 100 autism cases. These days it is officially 1 in 64 in the UK and increasing alarmingly.

Our little demonstration, with its sea of placards and interviews, was reported on ITV's London Tonight and Sky News. By the time I returned home to Scotland the next day, the ITV report had been 'pulled'. (News items are usually available on the internet for a week) and Sky News had edited out the UK demonstration, although certain elements of the simultaneous New York rally were retained.

My little placard?? It said 'Travesty of Justice' and I drew a picture of an MMR syringe. My daughter recorded the TV reports on her Sky Box and there was my placard in close up!!